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Jimbo Fisher earned his money Saturday while Dabo Swinney showed why “Clemsoning” has become synonymous with “choking.” To coax a victory out of that game was some of Fisher’s beast coaching. His team clearly was being dominated at the line of scrimmage offensively (we’ll address that later) early on but Fisher made the adjustments in the second half, something Swinney still has not figured out how to do (see: Georgia). What he needed to do was make sure Rashad Greene and Nick O’Leary was covered in the second half and Clemson likely wins easily. They were the only two players on the field that could have beaten the Tigers. But Fisher made the adjustments to get them ball (14 catches, 184 yards in the second half combined) and FSU escaped. And the Seminoles had to be thrilled to see the offense spread out, a back in motion and the QB in the shotgun on the goal line. Clemson needed six inches twice (on the goal line and in OT) and this outcome likely would have been different. And all that while FSU was without its best defensive player, Mario Edwards, who sat the second have with a concussion. FSU fans should hope the coaches of two of their biggest rivals never get fired: Swinney and Florida’s Will Muschamp.

Offensive line struggles

The biggest concern moving forward has been the disappointing play of FSU’s veteran offensive line. Cameron Erving, Josue Matias, Austin Barron, Tre Jackson and Bobby Hart were expected to be among the best, if not the best, in the country, yet after three games the Seminoles are tied for 108th nationally with 109.7 yards per game, including a running game Saturday that entered the overtime with minus-12 yards on the ground, including 49 yards lost on five sacks. Even after Karlos Williams’ 25 rushing yards in overtime, FSU’s running backs netted 38 yards on 17 carries. Clemson’s strength is its defensive line but it was alarming how they manhandled the Seminoles O-line, especially in the first half. FSU can work on getting that line and running game in order in the next three weeks but must get those problems fixed before Notre Dame comes to Doak in a month.

Winston still does not get it

The look on Fisher’s face when he saw suspended QB Jameis Winston in full uniform during warmups said it all. You could read Fisher’s mind: “What are you thinking?” Of course, that question is being over and over again to Winston. Fisher approached Winston and Winton headed for the locker room. The next time we saw him was in sweats and his uniform top. The whole scenario shows Winston still does not understand what he should and should not be doing, even on this less serious matter. When asked after the game why Winston was on the field warming up, Fisher said, “I don’t know. We corrected that.”

One month before the next showdown

FSU’s next three opponents – NC State, Wake Forest, Syracuse – are a combined 8-3, which is deceiving considering those eight wins are against Georgia Southern, Old Dominion, South Florida, Presbyterian, Garner-Webb, Army, Villanova and Central Michigan. The Seminoles should be no less than a four touchdown favorite in any of the three, a nice stretch to see if they can find a running game and repair their reputation nationally heading in a stretch that will include Notre Dame, Louisville, Virginia, Miami, Boston College and Florida.